On 21 February 2020, the farewell ceremony for Italian Navy Vice Admiral Enrico Credendino, Commander of the Operation EUNAVFORMED “SOPHIA”, took place at the “F. BARACCA” airport in Centocelle, the Operational Headquarter.

Vice Admiral Credendino, has been Commander of Operation Sophia since it was established on 18 May 2015. Within two months, he had achieved full operational capacity and Sophia was making a valuable contribution to dismantling the modus operandi of the human traffickers operating in the Central Mediterranean region, as well as to the regional stability and security, and the protection of Europe’s maritime borders.

In his farewell speech Admiral Credendino said: “After more than four and a half years in Command of Sophia the number of migrants leaving Libya to reach Europe has fallen by 90% compared to 2016 and, thanks to the training provided by Operation Sophia, the Libyan Coast Guard is now able to meet its functions in his area of jurisdiction.”

EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia (ENFM) is a Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operation, focused on disrupting the business model of migrant smugglers and human traffickers, and contributing to EU efforts for the return of stability and security in Libya and the Central Mediterranean region. ENFM is the first EU maritime force providing maritime security in the Central Mediterranean and works closely with different national, international, governmental and non-governmental, civilian and military organizations. Initially launched in 2015, ENFM is part of the EU’s comprehensive approach to migration.

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EUNAVFOR MED operation SOPHIA